Splash disco fun at the Indoor Pool

SATURDAY night saw another splash disco for the youth at the Indoor Pool where children had a fun day out.

It was the second party which the Indoor Pool organised and is structured to allow Grade 1 to 3 children pool time between 3pm-6pm and then the Grade 4-8s between 6pm and 9pm.

With disco lights, a tuck shop and adult supervision the youngsters had a fun time out.

BIG SPLASH AT POOL PARTY: Grade 4-8s had a fun time at a pool party at the Indoor Swimming Pool last Saturday evening, left Chloe Maartens and Scarlet Tweedie Picture: LOUISE CARTER

“The kids love it. Parents are welcome to come and join. We really want people to come back to the pool. The pool belongs to the community,” said owner Indoor Pool Sharon Lemmer.

Sharon, alongside her husband Lyndin Lemmer, took over the pool recently and feels passionately about rebuilding the pool as a community focal point.

“We have done some upgrades and have more plans for the future. I’m passionate about swimming but I feel the pool has to go back to the community. I want to get people back to the pool. A lot of people think they can’t or are not allowed to swim here,” Sharon said.

She said they are also busy raising funds to buy a new heater pump as they are currently only operating with one old and rusty pump.

“Unfortunately the pump was not available anymore when I took over from the previous owner,” said Sharon.

In addition to the “pool parties”, the Indoor Pool was the beneficiary of a recent Round Table ’80s party fundraiser.

The Port Alfred Swim Team, coached by Sharon and Roger Nock, consists of A-league swimmers from the Albany district who practice every day between 4pm and 5pm. They compete in regular galas and swimming competitions and do very well, Sharon said.

Sharon’s son Luke Lemmer started the team about four years ago. Luke has a great passion for swimming, and has excelled at galas.

CRAZY ABOUT SWIM: Luke Lemmer, founder of the Port Alfred Swim Team, practices with his teammates at the Indoor Swimming Pool, recently taken over by his parents, Sharon and Lyndin Lemmer Picture: LOUISE CARTER

“He has been the top swimmer at his school since Grade 4,” Sharon said. “It is part of the reason why I took over.”

There are also regular aqua-aerobics classes during the week.

So far, the community has been amazing helping with renovations, Sharon said.

“Thank you to Inso Aluminium for the sliding door, Buco-Albany Road, who did the lights, Build-It in Mpekweni for the paint, Country Meat Market, DJ Nico, Round Tablers, Buco-Port Alfred CBD, Kowie Toyota, Denver Coleman and all the other sponsors.

“People have been awesome,” said Sharon.

Keep an eye out on the Indoor Pool Facebook page for times and events. The pool is open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday at 9am-4pm and Sunday 11am-3pm.